Microsoft looks ready to unleash Silverlight 2 next week (Updated)

Microsoft is readying Silverlight 2 for release next week, if a hint in a …

Silverlight 2 Beta 1 arrived in March, Beta 2 was then released in June, and while many expected the final version late this summer, Microsoft instead sent out a slightly newer build in July. The official response about the arrival of the final Silverlight 2 has been "when it's ready," but late last month Silverlight 2 RC0 was released to help developers transition to the final Silverlight 2 code.

Microsoft still hasn't given an official date for the final release, but according to a press release, Scott Guthrie, the corporate vice president of Microsoft's .NET Developer Division, says that the company "will make a significant announcement about Microsoft Silverlight" on Monday, October 13 at 9AM PDT.

It doesn't take much thinkin' to figure out that Silverlight 2 is on its way out Microsoft's door next week, especially given that Silverlight 2 RC0 was released specifically to help prepare "Silverlight 2 Beta 2 applications for the release of Silverlight 2." It won't be long now before we can see for ourselves whether the delay of the final release was worthwhile. We'll let you know when Silverlight 2 hits RTM status.

Update

Mary Jo Foley has made the same conclusions regarding a release next week. Also, an unofficial document describing the main differences between Beta 2 and the final version has trickled in, courtesy of the Silverlight SDK blog.